Joining apparatus for panel sheets and joining method for panel sheets using the same

ABSTRACT

A joining apparatus for panel sheets and a joining method for panel sheets using the same are provided. The joining apparatus includes an element punching device which stores and supplies elements according to a specification of a panel sheet and inserts the element into a first panel sheet among different types of panel sheets. Additionally, a welding device resistively welds a part of the first panel sheet into which the element is inserted by the element punching device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2016-0112723 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Sep. 1, 2016, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND (a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a joining apparatus for panel sheetsand a joining method for panel sheets using the same, and moreparticularly, to a joining apparatus for panel sheets whichsimultaneously includes an element punching function and a panel sheetwelding function and a joining method for panel sheets using the same.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Recently, in a configuration of a vehicle body, usage of a light weightmaterial is being increased for the purpose improving fuel efficiency.In accordance with the increase of light weight material, a combinationof different types of steels, for example, aluminum and steel hasincreased. However, when the welding is applied to the combination ofthe different types of steels, a quality problem may be caused due togalvanic corrosion.

To reduce the problem of galvanic corrosion, a non-welding type joiningtechnique is required. However, to utilize the non-welding type joiningtechnique, all welding apparatuses of a joining process in the relatedart need to be replaced and initial investment costs are increasedsubstantially. Recently, to solve the above-mentioned problem, a weldingmethod using a resistance spot welding (RSW) device has applied to thevehicle body.

However, the RSW device requires an additional device which supplies aseparate element to be inserted to prevent the galvanic corrosion.Further, to supply elements according to individual sizes, equipment isrequired for each different size, which may increase the investmentcosts and a size of a process facilities. Further, the RSW device of therelated art includes a moving device and a control device, thus causingthe process to be complex. Therefore, maintenance of the system may bemore difficult.

The above information disclosed in this section is merely forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a joining apparatus for panel sheets anda joining method for panel sheets using the same which maysimultaneously accommodate a plurality of elements according toindividual specifications to be commonly used regardless of the type ofpanel sheets to be joined, thereby decreasing plant and equipmentinvestment costs.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a joiningapparatus for panel sheets which joins different types of panel sheetsincluding an element punching device configured to store and supplyelements according to a specification of a panel sheet and insert theelement into a first panel sheet among different types of panel sheets;and a welding device configured to resistively weld a part of the firstpanel sheet into which the element is inserted by the element punchingdevice.

The element punching device may include an element supply unitconfigured to store and supply the element; and a punching unitconfigured to insert the element supplied from the element supply unittoward a second panel sheet. The punching unit may include a punchcylinder disposed at an outer side of the element supply unit and apunch configured to insert the element into the panel sheet based on anoperation of the punch cylinder. The welding device may include a C typeresistance welding gun.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a joiningapparatus of panel sheets which joins different types of panel sheetsthat may include: a distance adjusting device having a frame and firstand second driving sliders movably disposed on a lower surface of theframe to adjust a distance therebetween; an element punching devicedisposed on the first driving slider of the distance adjusting deviceand having an element supply unit configured to store and supply anelement and a punching unit configured to insert the element suppliedfrom the element supply unit into a first panel sheet among differenttypes of panel sheets; and a welding device disposed on the seconddriving slider of the distance adjusting device and configured toresistively weld a part of the element which is inserted by the elementpunching device.

The distance adjusting device may include partially circular first andsecond guide rails disposed at both sides along a circumference on alower surface of the frame formed to have a disc block shape and firstand second driving sliders slidably disposed on the first and secondguide rails. The first and second driving sliders may be movablydisposed by a linear motor. The element supply unit may include anaccommodating box for individual specification which is provided to anupper part of a fixed housing between a pair of fixing brackets disposedin the first driving slider to distinguish and store the elements forindividual specifications and a supply block in which a supply aperturewhich arranges elements supplied from the accommodating box forindividual specifications in the panel sheet may be formed below thehousing.

The punching unit may include a punch disposed in a position thatcorresponds to the supply aperture of the supply block to insert theelement into the panel sheet and a punch cylinder disposed above thepunch to supply a pressurizing force to the punch. The punch cylindermay be mounted in a connecting bracket connected to a lower part of thefixing bracket and may be disposed extraneous to the element supply unitfrom a center of the frame.

The welding device may include a C type frame disposed on a seconddriving slider of the distance adjusting device through a mountingbracket; a pressurizing cylinder disposed above the C type frame; anupper electrode disposed at a front edge of a load of the pressurizingcylinder; and a lower electrode disposed at a lower end of the C typeframe. The upper electrode and the lower electrode may configure a Ctype resistance welding gun and the panel sheet into which the elementis inserted may be resistively welded by the C type resistance weldinggun.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides ajoining method of panel sheets that may include: locating a supply blockconfigured to supply an element in a position that corresponds to ajoining portion of different types of panel sheets loaded on a die;inserting the element into a first panel sheet among the different typesof panel sheets through a punch operating by a punch cylinder to asupply aperture formed in the supply block; pressurizing upper and lowerelectrodes while locating upper and lower electrodes of a welding devicecorresponding to upper and lower sides of the joining portion ofdifferent types of panel sheets; and resistively welding a part of thefirst panel sheet into which the element is inserted through the upperand lower electrodes by supplying power to the welding device. In thedifferent types of panel sheets loaded on the die, a sealer may beapplied between a first panel sheet and a second panel sheet to form asealer layer. The first panel sheet may be formed of an aluminummaterial and the second panel sheet may be formed of a steel material.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aplurality of elements according to individual specifications may beaccommodated to be commonly used regardless of the type of panel sheetsto be joined, thereby reducing plant and equipment investment costs.Further, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,a punching unit and a welding device may be simultaneously provided anda pitch of the element punching device and the welding device may beadjusted according to a plurality of panel sheets to be jointed, therebyreducing a process time.

In addition, effects which may be achieved or expected by the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may be directly or implicitlydisclosed in detailed description of the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Various effects expected according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will be disclosed in the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joining apparatus for panel sheetsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a distance adjusting device of a joiningapparatus for panel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an element punching device of a joiningapparatus for panel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a welding device of a joining apparatusfor panel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processes of a joining method forpanel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a control method of a joining apparatusfor panel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similarterm as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such aspassenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses,trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety ofboats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles,electric vehicles, combustion, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles,hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g.fuels derived from resources other than petroleum).

Although exemplary embodiment is described as using a plurality of unitsto perform the exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplaryprocesses may also be performed by one or plurality of modules.Additionally, it is understood that the term controller/control unitrefers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor. Thememory is configured to store the modules and the processor isspecifically configured to execute said modules to perform one or moreprocesses which are described further below.

Furthermore, control logic of the present invention may be embodied asnon-transitory computer readable media on a computer readable mediumcontaining executable program instructions executed by a processor,controller/control unit or the like. Examples of the computer readablemediums include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc(CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards andoptical data storage devices. The computer readable recording medium canalso be distributed in network coupled computer systems so that thecomputer readable media is stored and executed in a distributed fashion,e.g., by a telematics server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, theterm “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in theart, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” canbe understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%,0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear fromthe context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by theterm “about.”

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, thefollowing drawings and detailed description relate to one exemplaryembodiment among various exemplary embodiments for effectivelydescribing characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, thepresent invention is not limited to the following drawings anddescription.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joining apparatus for panel sheetsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 isa perspective view of a distance adjusting device of a joining apparatusfor panel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an element punching device ofa joining apparatus for panel sheets according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa welding device of a joining apparatus for panel sheets according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a joining apparatus 1 for panel sheets according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be applied to joindifferent types of panel sheets (e.g., a first panel sheet and a secondpanel sheet). Further, in the joining apparatus 1 for panel sheets,among different types of panel sheets to be joined, as a lower panelsheet (e.g., second panel sheet), the same material as an element (e.g.,a working piece or working element) may be applied to be resistivelywelded with the element. The joining apparatus 1 of panel sheets mayinclude a distance adjusting device 10, an element punching device 20,and a welding device 40. The various devices of the apparatus may beoperated by a controller having a memory and a processor.

Referring to FIG. 2, the distance adjusting device 10 may include aframe 11 mounted on an arm front edge of a robot (not illustrated). Theframe 11 may be formed to have a shape of a disc block. Further, theframe 11 may include a first guide rail 13 a and a second guide rail 13b disposed at both sides of the frame along a lower circumference. Thefirst guide rail 13 a and the second guide rail 13 b may be formed to bepartially circular. In particular, in the first guide rail 13 a and thesecond guide rail 13 b, a first driving slider 15 a and a second drivingslider 15 b may be disposed, respectively. A linear motor 12 is providedto allow the first driving slider 15 a and the second driving slider 15b to slidably move along the first guide rail 13 a and second guide rail13 b to adjust a distance therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 3, the element punching device 20 may include anelement supply unit 21 and a punching unit 31. The element supply unit21 may be disposed on the first driving slider 15 a of the distanceadjusting device 10 via a fixing bracket 23. Further, the element supplyunit 21 may include an accommodating box 27 for every specificationwhich distinguishes and stores an element 5 for every specificationabove a housing 25 fixed between a pair of fixing brackets 23. Theelement supply unit 21 may also include a supply block 29 connected tothe accommodating box 27 for every specification below the housing 25.In particular, in the supply block 29, a supply aperture H may be formedto pass through the supply block and the elements 5 may be arranged onthe panel sheet through the supply aperture H. The elements 5 may besupplied through a supply tube (not illustrated) which connects theaccommodating box 27 for every specification and the supply block 29.

In other words, the supply tube may be configured in the housing 25 andmay be supplied from the accommodating boxes 27 for individualspecifications to be combined at an upper side of the supply block 29and to be disposed toward the supply aperture H of the supply block 29.The supply tube may be a hose formed of a rubber material or may be apipe material formed of steel or a plastic material, but is not limitedthereto. The punching unit 31 may be disposed below the fixing bracket23 via a connecting bracket 33. In particular, in the punching unit 31,to locate (e.g., to move) a punch 37 in a position that corresponds tothe supply aperture H of the supply block 29, a punch cylinder 35 may bemounted in the connecting bracket 33 connected with a lower side of thefixing bracket 23 and disposed extraneous to the element supply unit 21from a center of the frame. The punching unit 31 may be configured toinsert the element 5 supplied from the element supply unit 21 into afirst panel sheet 3 a among different types of panel sheets.

Referring to FIG. 4, the welding device 40 may be disposed on the seconddriving slider 15 b of the distance adjusting device 10 via the mountingbracket 41. In particular, the welding device 40 may include aresistance welding gun 43 and the resistance welding gun 43 may be a Ctype welding gun. The welding apparatus 40 is configured by a C typeframe 45 and a pressurizing cylinder 47 may be disposed above the C typeframe 45.

In the welding device 40, an upper electrode 49 a may be disposed at afront edge of a load 48 of the pressurizing cylinder 47 and a lowerelectrode 49 b may be disposed at a lower end of the C type frame 45.The upper electrode 49 a and the lower electrode 49 b configure a C typeresistance welding gun. The welding device 40 may be configured to applyan electric current to the different types of panel sheets to which theelement 5 is inserted through the upper electrode 49 a and the lowerelectrode 49 b to resistively weld the edge of the element 5 to thesecond panel sheet 3 b.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processes of a joining method forpanel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. A method for joining panel sheets using the joining apparatusfor panel sheets configured as described above will be described below.Referring to FIG. 5, an element supply step S1 of locating a supplyblock 29 configured to supply an element 5 for joining panel sheets in aposition that corresponds to a joining portion of different types ofpanel sheets loaded on a die 50 may be performed.

In particular, the different types of panel sheets loaded on the die 50may include a first panel sheet 3 a and a second panel sheet 3 b. Asealer may be applied between the first panel sheet 3 a and the secondpanel sheet 3 b to form a sealer layer 7. Further, among the differenttypes of panel sheets, the first panel sheet 3 a may be formed of analuminum material and the second panel sheet 3 b and an element 5 (e.g.,working part) may be formed of a steel material.

Even though it is described that in the different types of panel sheetsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the firstpanel sheet 3 a is formed of an aluminum material and the second panelsheet 3 b and the element 5 are formed of a steel material, as anexample. However, the present invention is not necessarily limitedthereto. When a panel sheet has enough ductility to insert the element 5thereto, the panel sheet may be applied as the first panel sheet 3 a.Further, when a panel sheet has a rigidity which is greater than that ofthe first panel sheet 3 a and is formed of the same material as theelement 5, the panel sheet may be used as the second panel sheet 3 b.

An element inserting step S2 may then be performed of forwardlyoperating a punch operated by a punch cylinder 35 toward the supplyaperture H formed on the supply block 29 to insert the element 5 intothe first panel sheet 3 a among the different types of panel sheets.Subsequently, a pressurizing step S3 may be performed of pressurizingthe upper electrode 49 a and the lower electrode 49 b while locating theupper electrode 49 a and the lower electrode 49 b of the welding device40 corresponding to an upper side and a lower side of the joiningportion of the different types of panel sheets. Finally, a welding stepS4 of supplying power to the welding device 40 to resistively weld theedge of the element 5 to the lower panel sheet 3 b among the differenttypes of panel sheets through the upper electrode 49 a and the lowerelectrode 49 b may be performed.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a control method of a joining apparatusfor panel sheets according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. A control method of the joining apparatus for panel sheetsconfigured as described above will be described below. Referring to FIG.6, a controller (not illustrated) may be configured to locate a joiningapparatus 1 with respect to a joining portion of different types ofpanel sheets which are seated on a die 50 in step S10.

The controller may then be configured to receive specificationinformation of the different types of panel sheets to be joined in stepS20. Additionally, the controller may be configured to determine whetherthe received specification information of different types of the panelsheets is changed by comparing the received specification information ofthe different types of panel sheets with predetermined specificationinformation of the different types of panel sheets in step S30.

Further, when the received specification information of the differenttypes of panel sheets does not match the predetermined specificationinformation of the different types of panel sheets, the controller maybe configured to reset a distance between an element punching device 20and a welding device 40 according to the received specificationinformation of the different types of panel sheets in step S40.Particularly, the predetermined specification information of thedifferent types of panel sheets is a value input before operating thejoining apparatus 1. Subsequently, the controller may be configured toreset a welding current applied to the welding device 40 according tothe received specification information of the different types of panelsheets in step S50.

In addition, the controller may be configured to select the element 5according to the received specification information of the differenttypes of panel sheets in step S60. The controller may then be configuredto supply the selected element 5 to a supply aperture H formed in asupply block 29 of the element punching device 20 in step S70. Inparticular, the element 5 may be moved to the supply block 29 through asupply tube (not illustrated) connected from an accommodating box 27 forindividual specifications of the element punching device 20 to be seatedin the supply aperture H. Subsequently, the controller may be configuredto perform a welding process which inserts the supplied element 5 intothe first panel sheet 3 a among the different types of panel sheetsthrough the element punching device 20 and then welds W the first panelsheet to the joining portion in which the element 5 is inserted throughthe welding device 40 in step S80.

Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a joining apparatus for panel sheets and a joining method forpanel sheets using the same may accommodate a plurality of elements 5according to individual specifications to be commonly used regardless ofthe type of panel sheets, thereby reducing plant and equipmentinvestment costs. According to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a joining apparatus for panel sheets and a joining method forpanel sheets using the same may simultaneously include a punchingfunction and a welding function, to decrease a process time.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be example embodiments, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A joining apparatus for panel sheets which joins different types of panel sheets, comprising: an element punching device configured to store and supply elements according to a specification of a panel sheet and insert the element into a first panel sheet among different types of panel sheets; and a welding device configured to resistively weld a part of the first panel sheet into which the element is inserted by the element punching device, wherein the element punching device includes: an element supply unit configured to store and supply the element; and a punching unit configured to insert the element supplied from the element supply unit toward a second panel sheet, and wherein the element supply unit includes: a housing fixed between a pair of fixing brackets; an accommodating box for individual specifications disposed at an upper part of the housing to distinguish and store the elements by individual specifications; and a supply block in which a supply aperture which arranges the elements supplied from the accommodating box by individual specifications in the panel sheet is formed below the housing.
 2. The joining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the punching unit includes: a punch cylinder disposed at an outer side of the element supply unit; and a punch configured to insert the element into the panel sheet based on an operation of the punch cylinder.
 3. The joining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the welding device includes a C type resistance welding gun.
 4. A joining apparatus for panel sheets which joins different types of panel sheets, comprising: a distance adjusting device including a frame and first and second driving sliders movably disposed on a lower surface of the frame to adjust a distance therebetween; an element punching device disposed on the first driving slider of the distance adjusting device and having an element supply unit configured to store and supply an element and a punching unit configured to insert the element supplied from the element supply unit into a first panel sheet among different types of panel sheets; and a welding device disposed on the second driving slider of the distance adjusting device and configured to resistively weld a part of the element which is inserted by the element punching device, wherein the element supply unit includes: an accommodating box for individual specifications disposed at an upper part of a fixed housing between a pair of fixing brackets disposed in the first driving slider to distinguish and store the elements by individual specifications; and a supply block in which a supply aperture which arranges the elements supplied from the accommodating box by individual specifications in the panel sheet is formed below the housing.
 5. The joining apparatus of claim 4, wherein the distance adjusting device includes: partially circular first and second guide rails disposed at both sides along a circumference on a lower surface of the frame formed to have a disc block shape; and first and second driving sliders slidably disposed on the first and second guide rails.
 6. The joining apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second driving sliders are moved by a linear motor.
 7. The joining apparatus of claim 4, wherein the punching unit includes: a punch disposed in a position that corresponds to the supply aperture of the supply block to insert the element into the panel sheet; and a punch cylinder disposed above the punch to supply a pressurizing force to the punch.
 8. The joining apparatus of claim 7, wherein the punch cylinder is mounted in a connecting bracket connected to a lower part of the fixing bracket and is disposed extraneous to the element supply unit from a center of the frame.
 9. The joining apparatus of claim 4, wherein the welding device includes: a C type frame disposed on a second driving slider of the distance adjusting device via a mounting bracket; a pressurizing cylinder disposed above the C type frame; an upper electrode disposed at a front edge of a load of the pressurizing cylinder; and a lower electrode disposed at a lower end of the C type frame.
 10. The joining apparatus of claim 9, wherein the upper electrode and the lower electrode configure a C type resistively welding gun, and the panel sheet into which the element is inserted is resistively welded by the C type resistance welding gun. 